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“The kids -- the victim age -- was between the ages from about 4 to 7,” said Detective Terry Mitchell of Des Moines police.

According to a criminal complaint, investigators believe Smith put a child on his lap, placed his hands underneath clothing and touched private parts on multiple occasions from 2008 to June 2012.

That June, according to a complaint, the Iowa Department of Human Services and Des Moines police received a complaint from a parent reporting their young child may have been inappropriately touched.

Police said Smith faces one count of second degree felony sexual abuse, but more charges could be filed. Mitchell said he believes as many as nine children may have been abused.

Detectives said Smith and his wife ran a day care inside of their home in the 3200 block of East 52nd Street in east Des Moines.

Detectives say his wife, with whom he ran the at-home daycare, was not involved.A spokesman with the Department of Human Services said Smith’s wife turned her registration in back in July 2012 -- one month after the allegations were made.